The Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying (OSBEELS) was established in 1919. OSBEELS participated in a pilot program created in 1997, through Senate Bill 546. The focus of the program was to assess the practicality and cost efficiency of changing certain professional licensing Boards to a service delivery model known as “semi-independent” status (not to be confused with privatization). The pilot program became permanent through Senate Bill 1127 in 1999. This status provides for a significant level of financial independence, but also makes the Board entirely accountable for its performance. The Board may acquire and pay for necessary services from the private sector instead of utilizing the services offered by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), which is paid for through Central Government Service Assessments. There are no tax dollars or general fund dollars involved in the operation of OSBEELS. OSBEELS is self funded and fully supported by its licensing and registration fees.

Mission

The mission of the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying is to regulate the practices of engineering, land surveying, photogrammetric mapping, and water right examination in the State as they relate to the welfare of the public in safeguarding life, health and property.

This mission is accomplished by:

Assuring that only competent individuals are granted licenses to practice engineering, land surveying, and photogrammetric mapping, that only registered individuals are offering and/or providing engineering, land surveying or photogrammetric mapping services, or water right examination and that registered individuals maintain high standards of practice and compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations.